Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast Rebroadcast • Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: Dr. William Dodson brings new insight to Emotional Regulation
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Jun 26, 2025 Dr. William Dodson, an award-winning psychiatrist specializing in adult ADHD, brings his expertise to a deep discussion on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). He explains how nearly everyone with ADHD experiences some level of rejection sensitivity, often leading to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Insights include the emotional impact of RSD, the importance of tailored coaching, and transformative treatment strategies. Personal stories highlight the empowerment that comes with understanding and managing these sensitivities, emphasizing connection and self-acceptance.
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What Is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?
- Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is a severe emotional reaction tied to ADHD, originally misunderstood as atypical depression.
- It causes catastrophic emotional distress to individuals when they perceive rejection or criticism, often lasting hours to days.
ADHD Leads To Catastrophic Misinterpretations
- People with ADHD often catastrophize social cues and interpret them as rejection, which leads to intense emotional storms.
- This frequent misinterpretation can cause misdiagnoses like borderline personality disorder due to similar emotional patterns.
Why Medicine Ignores RSD
- Medicine resists new concepts like RSD because it is authority-based and demands measurable evidence for credibility.
- RSD is difficult to research and measure, leading to neglect in scientific literature and skepticism among professionals.